Steve McLaughlin, vp sales Australasia for Oceania Cruises, co-hosted a Valentine’s dinner for media aboard Regatta with Steve Odell, svp and md Asia Pacific of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, before the 684-passenger ship set sail from Sydney late in the evening of February 14.

Navigator had arrived from New Zealand and sailed in the evening, heading for Perth.The aptly-named Seven Seas Navigator visited Australia in February 2002 on the first round-world voyage operated by what was then Radisson Seven Seas Cruises. Odell was unapologetic when he told his media guests, who lunched in the signature Compass Rose Restaurant, that Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the most expensive cruise line.

‘You don’t go to Gucci and ask for a discount,’ he said. ‘Our prices don’t come down. The top suites are always first to sell out and an average fare per couple for a 14-night cruise is around A$20,000.

‘It is not about the price -- it is what is included.’

Pile, who said around 50% of passengers are repeaters, said the company is launching its future itineraries earlier than ever and this has led to an early booking curve.

She said the 2020/21 itineraries will be announced in August.Photo: Helen Hutcheon

Victory Cruise Lines unveiled a nine-night, all-inclusive cruise between Miami and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula that features three noted Mayan archaeological sites and other cultural and historical highlights of Quintana Roo, Yucatán and Campeche.

AIDAcara returned to homeport of Hamburg early Saturday morning after a 116-day round the world voyage – the first in the Germany cruise company’s history – having departed on October 17, 2017 with around 1,100 guests.